Feds: Tape shows judges’ cover-up plan (Kids for Cash trial)

SCRANTON – Mark Ciavarella approached the van parked along the roadway and tried to enter, first pulling the passenger-side door handle, then the rear. It was July 30, 2008, and Ciavarella, then a Luzerne County judge, suspected he might be under surveillance. He was right. Inside the van sat James Glenn, an FBI agent, and several co-workers. The men had been recording a conversation attorney Robert Powell, a government witness, was having with Ciavarella and Michael Conahan. Glenn saw Ciavarella approaching and hurriedly shut down the recording devices, fearful Ciavarella would hear the humming noise they made. The agents then.